100% handmade and tested by me. American-style professional-level reeds, short V-shaped tip – slightly horizontal – supportive rails and spin with a smooth scrape with a slight distinction between the heart and back. I only sell reeds that I would use in a concert, which means I put great time and effort into every reed, slowly crafting them from start to finish over several sitting and drying periods, to settle the cane.

What I look for in a reed:

Small diamond shape opening that is responsive, playing easily in all the registers, while using different amounts of air and embouchure pressure.

My embouchure:

An open/rounded embouchure (similar to a whistle) with flexibility, rolling the reed in and out of the embouchure as needed, while applying pressure from either the corners or the aperture (the soft fleshy part right behind the lips). 

The importance of the … embouchure/reed/air balance:

All three must work together in order to create a focused/resonating, in tune, beautiful sound on the oboe. Often poor reeds create poor habits, such as biting and lack of air support….creating unnecessary struggles. 

Healthy resistance – key to promoting healthy playing habits:

Reed holds itself and needs just the most delicate interaction with the embouchure to create a beautiful, sweet, deep and rich sound. My reeds promote healthy embouchure/air support habits, with pitch-stability in the high and low register, as well as a healthy resistance. My reeds are built to play and respond well with both great and minimal air pressure. However, a steady consistent stream of air is needed.

The sensitive reed: (adjustments)

Reeds are very sensitive! They can change with moisture, dry weather, temperature, altitude, and various other factors. These changes can take place over long or short periods of time, and can also take place during the reed journey to you. 

I am very careful with the reeds I send, if they do not feel 100% on tone quality, responsiveness, pitch, ease of playing, I do not send them out! I always send an email with descriptions and photos of your reeds when I mail them out. It is important to understand that this might imply that you adjust the reed when it arrives, so that the reed’s playing characteristics match your personal desires. The reed is not over scraped and there is room for clipping. Please feel free to contact me directly. I will help guide you on how to make any reed adjustments. Local clients can schedule a reed adjustment lesson, a fee is associated.

The cane quality:

All my reeds are made out of high-quality Rigotti cane, which I hand select, gouge and shape myself. Reeds on silver/brass real cork/collar staples use cane that has a slight “u” shape, to create tight corners. Reeds on synthetic cork or without collar staples use straight cane. I do not use cane that is shaped as a “bridge” or grainy soft cane.

Placement of order:

Place your order on the website, once I receive the order – I will email you. Depending on my current workload, orders can take 3-5 weeks to be mailed out. For new clients, who don’t know my usual wait times, I do my best to get reeds out quicker, however, this is not guaranteed. We can discuss this via email. 🙂

Shipment of reeds:

Reeds are sent out in corrugated crush-proof mailer boxes, placed in a special triangular tube, which prevents any contact between the tip of the reed and the end of the tube. 

Return-refund:

Reeds are guaranteed to have no structural deficiencies. 

No exchanges. No return-refund unless reed has a defect in construction, if there is a defect in construction, please contact me directly BEFORE you mail reeds. *If reeds are placed incorrectly into the tubes (the end of the reed MUST be inserted FIRMLY into the cap), they will break -reeds that arrive like this will NOT be refunded.